[Gzz-commits] gzz/Documentation/misc/mindmap tech.rst .cvsignore

[Asko Soukka]

CVSROOT:        /cvsroot/gzz
Module name:    gzz
Changes by:     Asko Soukka <address@hidden>    03/01/03 06:41:42

Modified files:
        Documentation/misc/mindmap: tech.rst 
Added files:
        Documentation/misc/mindmap: .cvsignore 

Log message:
        touchscreens...

CVSWeb URLs:
http://savannah.gnu.org/cgi-bin/viewcvs/gzz/gzz/Documentation/misc/mindmap/.cvsignore?rev=1.1
http://savannah.gnu.org/cgi-bin/viewcvs/gzz/gzz/Documentation/misc/mindmap/tech.rst.diff?tr1=1.1&tr2=1.2&r1=text&r2=text

Patches:
Index: gzz/Documentation/misc/mindmap/tech.rst
diff -u gzz/Documentation/misc/mindmap/tech.rst:1.1 
gzz/Documentation/misc/mindmap/tech.rst:1.2
--- gzz/Documentation/misc/mindmap/tech.rst:1.1 Thu Jan  2 09:15:36 2003
+++ gzz/Documentation/misc/mindmap/tech.rst     Fri Jan  3 06:41:41 2003
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 ===============================================
 
 :Author: Asko Soukka
-:Date: $Date: 2003/01/02 14:15:36 $
+:Date: $Date: 2003/01/03 11:41:41 $
 
 My goal for 2003 is to start building tool on GZZ for handling
 my personal notes on GZZ. At first I'll continue my earlier work on
@@ -86,25 +86,79 @@
 Mind map -method requirements
 =============================
 
-- free drawing with pen
-- A4 most popular size
-- character recognition
+Probably there is no the one and only right way to create mind maps, but
+I still try to name some requirements for ideal mind map manipulation 
+intarface on the basis of my own mind map drawing customs.
+
+- highly mobile
+- direct maniplation interface
+- pen as primary input device: free drawing should be possible,
+  though text input needs character recognition
+- pen needs touchscreen or digital drawing tablet, in terms of direct
+  manipulation, the earlier is of course better
+- since A4 the most popular paper size for writing notes and also for
+  drawing mind maps (AFAIK), it could be recommendes size also for
+  mindmap tool (although, this depends a lot of different needs of 
+  different user, a small PDA with soft drawing-tablet-case could also
+  good)
+- also mouse could be used as later manipulation of mind map associations, 
+  and keyboard for adding larger amounts of text
+
+Need still to make more exactly user cases for creating and
+manipulatin mind maps. Currently following steps come into mind:
+
+- adding things and placing them spatially comfortable way
 - marking associations
-  (parallel, hierarchical, occasiona, clone)
+  (parallel, hierarchical, occasional, clone)
+- replacing
 
 =================
 Devices available
 =================
 
-Workstation
-===========
+Tablets
+=======
+
+Most of the reasonable choices need external digital tablet
+to allow pen as primary input device. The current market leader
+seem to be Wacom with it's Intuos tablet series. It has currently
+support also for Linux environments (and of course for all recent
+Windows and MacOs versions).
+
+::
+
+       Wacom Intuos 2 A4 tablet + Grip-pen + 4D mouse = 594.00e
+
+       Tablet Dimensions: 456x361x14 mm
+       Active Area: 304.8 x 240.6 mm
+
+       Wacom Intuos 2 A5 tablet + Grip-pen + 2D mouse = 432.00e
+
+       Tablet Dimensions: 334 x 258 x 14 mm
+       Active Area: 203.2 x 162.4 mm
+
+
+- A4 tablet's physical size is enormous 456mmx361mm, so it's far too
+  big to be mobile, the first compromise would be to satisfy tablet
+  with only A5 size active area
+
+- For PDAs already exists soft keyboard (Logitech keycase), which could
+  be rolled over PDA and becomes covering carrying case. I couldn't find yet
+  such drawing tablet, but if it's technically possible to build, such 
+  would be great for its mobility.
+
+Static workstation
+==================
 
 - big screen
 - keyboard
 - mouse or trackball
 - Linux+OpenGL possible
-- needs additional digital tablet, but that's not
-  a problem, because workplace is static
+- needs external digital tablet
+
+All technical requirements can be met with normal PC workstation,
+but since it's not mobile, it could be used only for laboratory
+test.
 
 Laptop computer
 ===============
@@ -114,8 +168,21 @@
 - mouse replacement 
   (touchscreen, trackball, tap)
 - probably Linux+OpenGl possible
-- needs additional digital tablet, which counts
-  more items to carry
+- needs external digital tablet
+  OR add-on touchscreen + touchscreen-friendly-pen
+
+Modern laptop computers can also meet most of the technical
+requirements of GZZ. But because they are harder to upgrade
+than workstation computers, their graphic cards might get 
+old while GZZ develops. It means, that not all GZZ's 
+becoming OpenGL features will work with them. But with the
+newset laptop GZZ should always run :)
+
+Laptop computers have quite bad "pointing devices" in default
+for mind map manipulating. Interesting alternative for digital
+tablet would be adding toucscreen on laptop's LCD. 15" 
+resistive touchscreen seem to cost about 300-500e. Of course
+configuring own touchscreen needs additional work.
 
 Tablet PC
 =========
@@ -126,16 +193,47 @@
 - Linux support unknown, but most
   probably working OpenGL
 
+Current Tablet PCs seem to be lap tops with built-in touchscreen, that
+could be turn fancy keyboard. Since they are as powerfull as current
+lap tops their graphic cards support OpenGL. Bigger question is, can
+they and their touchscreen be used with Linux. Probably existing of
+working drivers is just matter of time.
+
+Examples::
+
+       Acer TravelMate C102Ti 2502e
+
+       251(W) x 208 (D) x 25.4/29.4 (H) mm
+       9.9" (W) x 8.2" (D) x 1/1.16" (H)
+       1.4kg* (3.2lbs*) 10.4" LCD
+
+       
+       Compaq TC1000 2841e
+       has nvidia grapchic chip for OpenGL features
+
+       10.8 x 8.5 x .8 in (27.4 x 21.6 x 2.0 cm)
+       Weight Approximate 3 lb (1.4 kg) Tablet PC only
+       4 lb (1.8 kg) Tablet PC with keyboard
+
 PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)
 ================================
 
 - touchscreen with pen
 - quite small screen
-- could need an additional digital A4 tablet
+- currently can run only AWT client, sad because
+  fisheye views could be useful with small screen
+  * graphics don't support OpenGL
+  * linux is hard to install
+- practical use needs external digital tablet
+
+Example::
 
-========
-Examples
-========
+       Compaq iPAQ H3950 714.00e
+
+Nokia Communicator
+==================
 
-- prices count
-- but hard to see beyond a half year
\ No newline at end of file
+Nokia Communicator might support more Java than just
+Micro Edition, so GZZ's AWT client might be able to
+run on it. Though, AFAI Communicator has not yet
+touchscreen.
\ No newline at end of file